Thought for the Day

Thought for the Day

Verse 15 – When the word “judgment” is mentioned, it usually brings to mind the execution of the penalty for sin. However, there is another side to judgment. We can see from Galatians 6:7-9 and Revelation 20:12-13 that sowing evil reaps a judgment of destruction, while sowing good reaps a judgment of reward. This is true for both individuals and nations.

In America, we have sown both good and evil. I believe God has been merciful to us because we have helped other nations. The American Church has sent many missionaries around the world. Our nation has supported humanitarian works in every nation. The U.S. government has poured billions of dollars into foreign aid and forgiven other countries of billions of dollars of debt. We are usually among the first on the scene with assistance when natural disasters strike other countries. We have helped rebuild the infrastructures of nations ravaged by war. Many more things could be named that America has done for others throughout the world.

America has also sown much evil. We have exported ungodly music, movies, and pornography among other things. We have hypocritically called ourselves a “Christian nation,” yet we allow abortion and other evils to be legalized. Many Americans are drug addicts and others are consumed with pornography. Many commit adultery without blushing and are sex-crazed. I have noticed that the most prevalent types of e-mail ads are marketing something pertaining to sex, or becoming a millionaire, or some form of gambling. Sharing Christ with other nations is difficult when they see our rampant lust and materialism. Our culture has been shot through with every type of sin and temptation designed by Satan to keep us weak and powerless. God desires to bless us with good, but our sins prevent God from blessing us. Judgment comes upon us as we reap what we have sown. “Your iniquities have turned away these things, and your sins have withholden good things from you” (Jeremiah 5:25).

Verse 16 – Destruction awaits those who fail to understand that we are all being judged by God’s Word. When we fail to keep His commandments, we are judged in that respect. When we honor His word we are judged as faithful. There is one way to avert destructive judgment: by walking in relationship with Jesus and allowing the Holy Spirit to convict us of sin. When we repent, we no longer come under judgment, because Jesus received the penalty of our sins on the cross. We must pray that the church comes to true repentance that will produce genuine revival in our nations and the world: “And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day” (John 12:47-48).